Station-indicator



W. C. KNOX.

STATION momma. APPLICATION FILED DEC-M1918.

Patented Apr.- 6, 1920.

INVENTOR AnonusY' WALL LINN! WORTH ANAL "IMHO IA UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM CROMWELL KNOX, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Application filed December 9, 1918.

of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to devices mounted in railway cars to indicate the next stationstop, and is designed more particularly for service in subways and analogous transportation lines.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character, easily installed and so located in the car as to be easily read from all parts thereof, and which shall be simple and economical in construction and easily operated, and perform its function efiiciently.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction and ar-- rangement by which the above objects are attained, to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and show an approved form of the invention.

Figure 1 is a transverse section of a car body equipped with the improved indicator, the latter being shown in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a partial side view and vertical longitudinal section, on a larger scale, showing the indicator alone.

' Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the indicator alone, corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, partly in plan view, showing certain details on a still lar er scale.

Fig. 5 is "an elevation showing the contact points of an electric switch by which the names of the stations on the indicator are illuminated.

Similar letters" of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

A is the body of car having a longitudinally extended elevated portion of the roof A providing the usual ventilator space.

The indicator is mounted in such space,-

transversely of the car, preferably about midway between the ends of the latter so as to be plainly visible from all parts of the car.

The indicator comprises a light rectangular case B preferably of'sheet metal, di-

Specification of Letters Patent.

STATION-INDICATOR.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

Serial No. 265,822.

vided by a series of horizontal partitions B and vertical partitions B into a number of rectangular cells or compartments open at the ends, or sides of the case and each containing an incandescent lamp C.

The compartments are arranged to form a plurality of vertical series located side by side and all are covered on each open face by a sheet or plate D of thin metal or other suitable material having the names of the stations cut therein to match to the compartments so as to be illuminated by the lamps.

The sheets D are preferably mounted each in a frame D adapted to slide vertically in ways A formed on the ends of the case A on each face, and are held in place by bolts E extending through the lower portions of the frames and through the case in the lower row of compartments, and supported by the floor or bottom of the case. V A translucent lining F of suitable fabric or other material covers the inner face of each sheet D, extending across the openings therein forming the station-names, and showing the latter in strong contrast with the opaque body of the sheet.

The lamps are connected by suitable wiring, not shown, to contact points G arranged circularly on the rear face of a switchboard G in the path of a switch-arm G mounted ona shaft G: and moved by a handle Gr on a pointer G on the front face of the switchboard to cause any selected lamp to glow as indicated by the pointer relatively to a circle of points Gr on such front serving to aid in such selection. The contact'points are separated by insulation, and a long strip of insulation G is provided to present an interval. on which the switcharm G rests when the indicator is out of use, as at the end of a trip.

In starting from the terminal station, the

guard or attendant moves the pointer G to thefirst point G which action correspondingly moves the switch-arm G to the first contact point in the series G on the rear of the switchboard and thus completes the circuit through the first lamp of the series and illuminates the first station name. On leavthe guard moves the pointer to illuminate the name of the next express-stop, momentarily illuminating the local stations between as the pointer is swung over them. If the guard swings the pointer to the wrong name he simply swings it backward or forward to the correct name.

' As'the material of the lining F is lighter than the painted surface of the opaque sheet D the names of all the stations may be read by the reflected light from the car lamps, while the next station-stop is brilliantly illuminated by transmitted light from the lamp C in that compartment, thus enabling the assen er readil to follow the succession of names and be prepared to leave the car when his station is reached. Express stations maybe specially marked by a cross, star or other distinguishing sign on the indicator, so that the passenger can readily find the station at which to change to a local or express train in reaching his destination.

By locating the indicator in the ventilator space in the roof of the car, it is out of the way and at the same time conspicuously placed and plainly visible from all parts of v the'car and not concealed by standing passengers. The switchboard may be located at any point conveniently accessible to the guard or attendant. I

If the route is to be changed it is only necessary to remove the bolts E and plates D with their frames D and substitute other plates and frames similarly spaced but bearin the station-names for the new route.

ihe indicator may be supported in the ventilator space by any suitable means. It is shown as suspended from the roof by bolts H.

The apparatus and its operation are eminently simple and completely under the control of the attendant whose duty is simply to illuminate the name of the next station stop innnediately on leaving the preceding station.

' I claim I In a station indicator, a case adapted to be suspended from the roof of a. car at the niidlength of the latter, horizontal andv.er-'

tical partitions in said case dividing its interior into a plurality of compartments open at each end, vertical ways on the sides of said case, plates rcmovably received in said ways and covering such sides, having station-namcs cut therein to match to such compartments, a translucent lining covering the inner face of each of said plates, an incandescent electric lamp in each c0mpartment, and a switch adapted to control said lamps and illuminate such con'lpartments and stationnames successively.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM CROMWELL KNOX. 

